Hopper-scale.



H. DUNKERLY.

HOPPER SCALE. 7 APPLIOATION'PILED APR. 10, 1909.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

s SHEEN-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES:

ANDREW B. GRAHAM 00.. vmvo-umucmmsni WASHINGTON. D- 0- It. DUNKERLY.

HOPPER SCALE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 10, 1909.

953, 1 27. Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

gas

WITNESSES:

lNVENTOR-f a 2 v fig 4 I gyrgja m er/y.

find/m ATTORNEY ANDREW B'GRAHAM 00., PuoTo-wmcmmms,wAsmNuToN. a. a

H. DUNKERLY.

HOPPER SCALE. APPLIOATIMI FILED APR. 10, 1909.

Patented M31229, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES:

ANDREW e, GRAHAM m, FHOTO-LITNOGRAFHERS, wAsmNaYam a, c,

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY DUNKERLY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

HOPPER-SCALE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY DUNKERLY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, haveinvented a new and useful Hopper-Scale, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in hopper scales andmore particularly to a double scale mechanism for weighing and bagglnggrain, flour, meal and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanism constructed with aview of simplicity and practicability, among the novel features of whichare, vertically moving and non-swinging weighing bins, a double cut-off,electrically operated releasing mechanism, spring operated bin bottomsand other constructions.

Another feature resides in the downwardly flaring weighing bins, whichbeing larger near their lower ends than at their upper ends, preventflour and the like from arching across the bins; also the peculiarweighing mechanism which is very sensitive and requires only a limitedmovement.

Finally the object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of thecharacter described that will be strong, durable and eflicient, and onewhich will be accurate and in which the several parts will not be likelyto getout of working order.

\Vith the above and other objects in view, the invention has relation tocertain novel features of construction and operation, an example ofwhich is described in the following specification and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is an end elevation of my invention, Fig. 2 is a sideelevation, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view, Fig. 1'

is an elevation of the upper portion of the side opposite to that shownin Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a detail vertical section of the lower bin-bottomholding and releasing mechanism, Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section ofthe upper bin-bottom holding and releasing mechanism, Fig. 7 is a detailtransverse section of one of the bin-bottoms and its supports, Fig. 8 isa transverse section of the hub portion of one of the binbottoms, Fig. 9is a detail of the circuit closing mechan- Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed April 10, 1909.

Patented Mar. 29, 1910.

Serial No. 489,131.

inner end of one of the bins and its supports, and Fig. 11 is adiagrammatical view of the electric circuits.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the central standards of ametallic frame preferably constructed of angular bars and comprising atruss-bar 2 on each side supported at each end on uprights 3 connectedby side bars 6, the standards being secured to the cross bars at theirlower ends and to the truss-bars at their upper ends. The frame isbraced and connected transversely by cross bars 5, end bars 4 and flatbars 7.

A hopper 8 is supported above the trussbars on arms 9 adjustably securedin the center of the said bars. At its lower end the hopper terminatesin diverging chutes 10 extending, each at an angle of about 45 degrees.These chutes project, each a short distance into the contracted mouth 11of a weighing bin 12. The mouth of each bin extending substantiallyparallel with the chute which it receives and being somewhat larger,will permit a free vertical movement of the bin without the mouth cominginto contact with the chute. The bin proper extends vertically and isflared, as shown in Fig. 3, toward its lower end to gradually increasethe width downward and prevent flour and the like from arching acrossthe bin. The extreme lower end of each bin is contracted so as to freelyproject without contacting, into a fixed spout 13 suitably hung from theside bars 4.

As the weighing mechanism for each bin is the same, a description of onewill suflice for both. Above the contracted portion of the bin, a metalband 14 is secured about the bin; while within the bin and a shortdistance above the band, a hopper frame 15 is fastened with its lowerend terminating a short distance below the upper edge of the band on theoutside, as is best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A bin bottom or closure 16is adapted to close against the lower end of the hopper frame and thussupport the contents of the bin. This closure as shown in Figs. 7 and 8is formed with a hub 17 surrounding a transverse shaft 18 having itsends keyed or fixed in the band 141- Between the shaft and the hub aspace suflicient to receive a coiled sprin 19 is provided, the springhaving one end ism, Fig. 10 is a detail of a portion of the r fixedshaft and the other secured to the hub;

passed through the whereby the closure upon being swung dowmvard andreleased will be returned or swung up against the hopper frame. (SeeFig. The closure is held up so as to support the load in the bin, by aninwardly spring-pressed latch 20 projecting through the band 1-1- andthe side of the bin and supported in a housing 21 secured to the outsideof the band as best shown in Fig. 6. lVhen the closure is swung downwardby the load and after the latch 20 has been withdrawn by mechanismhereinafter described, it depresses and engages behind, a bell-cranklatch 22 pivoted on a bracket 23 secured to the inside of the fixedspout 13 as is best shown in Fig. .Vhen this latch 22 is swung by meanshereinafter described, the closure will be released and swung upward bythe coiled spring 19.

An oitl set scale arm 23 extends longitudinally, one on each side of thebin and pivotally supported at its inner end in a trunnion bracket 24.secured to the cross bar 5; while at its outer end it projects beyondthe upright 3. The outer ends of the scale arm are connected, as isshown in Figs. 1 and 3, by a cross piece 25 rigidly attached thereto.Thus any swinging movement of the scale arms is transmitted to the crosspiece, which at its center is provided with a hook 26 adapted to engagein a trunnion hanger 27 straddling at the center, a counter beam 28extending across the end of the main frame as is clearly shown inFig. 1. At one end the counter beam 28 has suitable engagement in atrunnion hanger 29 supported by a hook 3O resting on the end of abracket 31 projecting from one of the uprights. This forms the pivot endof the counter beam from which it swings. The opposite end of thecounter beam has similar engagement with a trunnion hanger supported ina trunnion. loop 33 engaging with a scale beam 34:. The scale beam ispivoted in a trunnion bracket projecting from the adjacent upright;while it is balanced by an adjustable weight-screw 36 at one end and atrunnion hanger 37 supporting a hook weight 38 at the opposite end. Theinner end of the scale beam is arched at 39 and operates through thelateral wing of the central standard 1. Beneath the offset portion ofeach scale arm 23, a short arm 40 is supported at its inner end from thescale arm by a loop 41 and is pivoted at its outer end in a trunnionbracket 42 secured to the end bar 6. Each bin is supported at its outerend by knife edge lugs L3 notched over the short arms 40 and secured tothe band 14. The support at the inner end comprises hangers 44 supportedon the scale arms and receiving knife-edge trunnions 45 secured to theband 14: as shown in Fig. 10. By this arrangement each bin is permittedto move vertically, the scale arms and short arms swinging down at thecenter and the movement being transmitted and controlled by the scalebeam 3%. to which itis transmitted by the cross piece 25 and counterbeam 28 and their connections. I wish to call. attention to the factthat the bin moves a very short distance, as the scale beam is verysensitive and has only a limited swing. it being necessary to merelyswing the arched end 39 of the scale beam a few inches to operate thecut of? means and del'lect the load from the hopper into the other bin.

The cut off means comprises a transverse shaft 46 extending through thehopper and projecting from each side thereof. This shaft is disposed atthe intersection of the bottoms of the chutes 10 as shown in Fig. 3. andreceives a deflecting valve or gate 47 adapted to rest against stops -18at the entrance to each chute and cut off the supply thereto and to lieat such an angle as to detlect or guide the load or material into theopen chute. Near the lower end of each chute a cut off valve 49 is fixedon a shaft 50 projecting through the wall of the chute. it will be notedthat the shafts it and 50 lie, substantially in the same horizontalplane, the valves 19 extending downward and the valve t? upward. Thesevalves are caused to occupy certain positions by means of lovers 51 and52 secured to the adjacent projecting ends of the shafts 46 and 50 respectively. The levers 52 are connected to the central lever 51, whichis considerably longer, by means of links 53. The levers are thus swungin unison by the central lever. \Vhen the levers are connected, thevalves 49 are positioned so that one will stand across the chute, whilethe other extends down the chute as shown in Fig. 3, and also so thatthe one extending across the chute will always be beneath the detlectorvalve when the latter closes the chute.

It is obvious that by swinging the central lever the valves are swungand the load out off from and deflected into the bins alternately. Itwill be observed that considerable space is had between the deflectingvalve and the cut off valve when the latter is swung across the chute.By this arrangement the material in the chute is caught and held afterthe deflecting valve has started to swing to close the chute. Ordinarilythis material would drop into the bin, giving more material therein thanwas actually wei ghed.

On the end of the shaft 4-6 opposite to that supporting the centrallever 51, an operating lever 54 is secured at its upper end and extendsin substantially the same direction as the central lever. As shown inFig. Jr, the lower end of the lever 54; engages the sliding core 55,operating between solenoids 56 mounted on a bracket secured to the innerside of the truss-bar 2, as shown in llu Fig. 1. It is obvious that asthe solenoids are alternately energized, the core will be reciprocatedand the lever 54 swung, thus rocking the shaft 16 and swinging thevalves 17 and 4:9 to deflect the load first into one bin and then intothe other. The solenoids each have a separate circuit, which circuitsare alternately closed as will be hereinafter described.

Between the standards 1, and above the scale arms 23, a transverse rockshaft 57 is suitably mounted, while a lever 58 is carried at the centerof the latter. At each end of the lever a link 59 and a rod 60 havingits ends slotted, are pivotally connected thereto as shown in Figs. 2and 3, the links being pivoted on opposite sides of the lever andlikewise, the rods. The rods are crossed and have their lower slottedends in pivotal engagement with bell-crank levers 61 supported bybrackets 62 secured to the outer sides of the spouts 13, as shown inFig. 5. At its lower end, each bell-crank lever has engagement with ahorizontal rod 63 extending through the spout and connected to the lowerend of the latch 22. hen one end of the lever 58 is swung upward and therod 60 has moved sufficient to take up the play by reason of its slottedends, the lever 61 will be swung so as to draw the rod 63 outward,swinging down the latch 22 and releasing the closure 16 which is swungupward by the coiled spring in its hub. A coiled spring 6% serves toreturn the lever 61 to its normal position.

Each link 59, which is slotted to permit a certain amount of lostmotion, has pivotal engagement at its lower end with a bell crank lever65 pivoted on an angular bracket 66 supported from the adjacent crossbar 5, as shown in Figs. 6 and 10. This lever has engagement with thelatch 20, so that when one end of the lever 58 is swung upward, the linkafter moving the proper distance will swing the bell-crank lever 65outward, thus withdrawing the 'latch 20 and permitting the load in thebin to swing the closure 16 down until it engages behind the latch 22.

By crossing the rods 60, the latch 20 of one bin and the latch 22 of theother bin will be operated simultaneously; or in other words when a binhas received its full load and the electric circuit closed, the solenoidon the opposite end of the scales or over the other bin, will beenergized, the core 55 drawn into it and the lever 5% swung.

lVhen the lever 54: is swung, the valves are operated to close the firstbin and the shaft 46 rocked. This shafthas fixed on its end the lever 51which is slotted at its lower end and has pivotal connection with theupper slotted end of a lever 67 fixed on the shaft 57. Consequently theend of the bin with relation to Figs. 2 and 8, is swung up, when theshaft 57 is rocked, and the rod 60 and link 59 operate the latch 22 ofthe second or left hand bin and the latch 20 of the first or right handbin, respectively. This releases the closure 16 of the second andpermits it to swing up and catch behind its latch 20; while the closureof the first bin is released so that the load may force it down. Theoperation is reversed when the second bin is loaded and the first binemptied.

I the scale beam of one bin energizes the solenoid over the second binand shlfts the valves so as to load the second bin.

The circuits may be closed in various ways. In Fig. 9 I have showncircuit closers, each comprising a bracket 69 secured to the standard 1over the arched end 39 of the scale beam 34: and provided with insulatedand separated contact posts 7 0 adapted to be engaged by a contact clip71 carried on the end 39 of the scale beam. This contact clip isinsulated from the scale beam and when the bin is loaded to the desiredweight and its end swung up, causing the clip to contact with the posts,the circuit is closed.

What I claim, is:

1. In a hopper weighing machine, a frame, a rigidly supported hopperhaving opposite outlets and mounted 011 the frame, individual weighingmechanisms, a bin supported by each weighing mechanism, the bins adaptedto receive the hopper outlets without contacting therewith, said binsadapted to receive loads from the hopper, a fixed spout supported beloweach bin, means for controlling the delivery of the load to each bin, aclosure hinged within each bin to support the load, holding andreleasing means for the closure, and a common means for operating thecontrolling means and the holding and releasing means.

2. In a hopper weighing machine, a frame, a hopper having deliverychutes and mounted on the frame, individual weighing mechanisms pivotedon the frame, a vertically movable bin supported by each weighingmechanism and adapted to receive the delivery chutes without contacttherewith, a fixed spout below each bin, the said bins being arranged toreceiveloads from the hopper, means for controlling the delivery of theload to the bins, a closure arranged in each lever 58 next to the firstbin or right hand 1 bin to support the load, holding and releasing meansfor the closure, and a common to move vertically between the hopper andj the spout, connected scale arms mounted on means for operating thecontrolling and the holding and releasing means.

means In a hopper weighing machine, a frame,

a hopper having opposed outlets and mounted on the frame, a double cutoff in the hopper adapted to retain a certain amount of the material,individual weighing mechan isms, a bin supported by each weighingmechanism, said bins adapted to receive loads from the hopper, means forcontrolling the delivery of the load to the bins, a closure hingedwithin each bin to support the load, holding and releasing means for theclosure, and a common means for operat ing the controlling means and theholding 3 and releasing means.

a hopper having delivery chutes and mounted on the frame, a deflectingvalve in the hopper adapted to deflect the load into one chute or theother, a cut-off valve in each chute some distance below the deflectingvalve adapted to be swung across the chutes alternately, the valvesbeing connected by v means for simultaneously swinging the same,individual weighing mechanisms, a bin supported by each weighingmechanism, said bins adapted to receive loads from the hopper, a fixedspout below each bin into which the bin projects, a closure hingedwithin each bin to support the load, holding and releasing means for theclosure, and a common means for operating the swinging means and theholding and releasing means.

In a weighing bin for hopper scales mechanism, a body supported to movevertically, a hopper frame secured within the body, a closure hingedwithin the body and frame, and means for closing the closure.

(3. In a hopper scale mechanism, a fixed hopper, a vertically movablewei hing bin supported beneath the hopper, a fixed spoutsupported belowthe bin, scale arms support ing the bin at each side, two of said armsbeing extended beyond the end of the bin, a counter beam across the binhaving connection with the extended scale arms, and a scale beam at oneside of the bin having connection with the counter beam.

7. In a hopper scale mechanism, a frame, a hopper rigidly supported onthe frame, a spout fixed on the frame, a weigl'iing bin disposed to movevertically in the frame between the hopper and the spout, stale armsmounted on the frame at each side of the bin, a scale beam pivoted onthe frame at one side of the bin having connection with the scale arms,a closure hinged in the bin adapted to be opened by the load, and meansfor closing the closure.

8. In a hopper scale mechanism, a frame, a hopper supported on theframe, a spout fixed on the frame, a weighing bin disposed the frame, ascale beam pivoted on the frame having connection with scale arms, and aclosure arranged in the bin adapted to be opened by the load.

9. In av hopper scale mechanism, a frame. a hopper supported on theframe, a spout fixed on the frame, a weighing bin disposed to movevertically between the hopper and the spout, connected scale armsmounted on the frame, a scale beam pivoted on the frame havingconnection with two of the arms, and a closure arranged in the binadapted to be opened by the load.

10. In a hopper scale mechanism, a frame.

1 a hopper SllppOl'ttKl on the frame, a spout In a hopper weighingmach1ne,a frame,

fixed on the frame, a weighing bin disposed to move vertically betweenthe hopper and the spout, connected scale arms on each side mounted onthe frame, a single scale beam connected with one of the arms on eachside, and a closure hinged within the bin adapted to be opened by theload.

11. in a hopper scale mechanism, a frame, a hopper supported on theframe, a spout fixed on the frame, a weighing bin disposed to movevertically between the hopper and the spout, connected scale arms oneach side mounted on the frame, a single scale beam connected with oneof the arms on each side, a closure arranged in the bin adapted to beopened by the load, and means within the bin for closing the closure.

12. The combination with a movable weighing bin, of a load supportingbottom hinged within the bin, a coiled spring associated with thebottom, the bottom adapted to be swung downward against the tensionadapted to be closed against the hopper of the spring and to be returnedby the spring, and means for holding the bottom in position to receivethe load. 7

13. In a hopper scales mechanism,a frame, a hopper mounted 011 theframe, a fixed spout supported from the frame, a vertically movableweighing bin disposed between the hopper and the spout, scale armspivoted on the frame, a scale beam pivoted on the frame and havingconnection with the scale arms, a closure hinged within the bin adaptedto be opened by the load, and resilient means for closing the closure.

l-l. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, a fixed spout supported from the frame, a vertically T movableweighing bin disposed between the hopper and the spout, scale armspivoted on the frame. a scale beam pivoted on the frame and havingconnection with the scale arms, a closure hinged within the bin adaptedto be opened by the load, resilient means for closing the closure, andautomatically operated holding and releasing means for the closure.

15. In ahopper scales mechanism,a frame,

a hopper mounted on the frame, a fixed spout supported from the frame, avertically movable weighing bin disposed between the hopper and thespout, scale arms pivoted on the frame, a scale beam pivoted on theframe and having connection with the scale arms, a closure in the binadapted to be opened by the load, resilient means for closing theclosure, holding and releasing means for the closure, and meanscontrolled by the scale beam for operating the holding and releasingmeans.

16. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, a fixed spout supported from the frame, a vertically movableweighing bin disposed between the hopper and the spout, scale armspivoted on the frame, a scale beam pivoted on the frame and havingconnection with the scale arms, a closure in the bin adapted to beopened by the load, resilient means for closing the closure, a latch forholding the closure across the bin to support the load, means forwithdrawing the holding means, means for retaining the closure in itsopen position, and means for withdrawing the retaining means 17. In ahopper scales mechanism, aframe, a hopper mounted on the frame, a fixedspout supported from the frame, a vertically movable weighing bindisposed between the hopper and the spout, scale arms pivoted on theframe, a scale beam pivoted on the frame and having connection with thescale arms, a closure in the bin adapted to be opened by the load,resilient means for closing the closure, a latch for holding the closureacross the bin to support the load, means for withdrawing the holdingmeans, means for retaining the closure in its open position, means forwithdrawing the retaining means, and means controlled by the scale beamfor operating the withdrawing and the retainmg means.

18. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, chutes extending from each side of the hopper, a defleeting valvearranged in the hopper adapt ed to alternately close the chutes,weighing bins into which the chutes freely project without contacting,spouts fixed below the bins, scale arms mounted on the frame and movablysupporting the bins, a scale beam for each bin fulcrumed on the frameand having connection with the scale arms of its respective bin, a binbottom in each bin adapted to support the load and to swing downward todischarge the load, and means for holding the bottoms in position.

19. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, chutes extending from each side of the hopper, a defleeting valvearranged in the hopper adapted to alternately close the chutes, weighingbins into which the chutes freely project without contacting, spoutsfixed below the bins, scale arms mounted on the frame and movablysupporting the bins, a scale beam for each bin fulcrumed on the frameand having connection with the scale arms of its respective bin, a binbottom in each bin adapted to support the load and to swing downward todischarge the load, means for swinging each bottom upward to its normalposition, and means for holding the bottoms in position.

20. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, chutes extending from each side of the hopper, a cleflectingvalve arranged in the hopper adapted to alternately close the chutes,weighlng bins receiving the chutes, spouts fixed below the bins, scalearms mounted on the frame and movably supporting the bins, a scale beamfor each bin fulcrumed on the frame and having connection with the scalearms of its respective bin, a bin bottom in each bin adapted to supportthe load and to swing downward to discharge the load, means for swingingeach bottom upward to its normal position, means for holding the bottomsin position, means for operating the holding means to release the binbottoms, and means caused to operate by the scale beam of one bin tooperate the releasing means of the other bin.

21. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, chutes extending from each side of the hopper, a deflecting valvearranged in the hopper adapted to alternately close the chutes, weighingbins receiving the chutes, spouts fixed below the bins, scale armsmounted on the frame and movably supporting the bins, a scale beam foreach bin fulcrumed on the frame and having connection with the scalearms of its respective bin, a bin bottom in each bin adapted to supportthe load and to swing downward to discharge the load, means for swingingeach bottom upward to its normal position, means for holding the bottomsin position, means for operating the holding means to release the binbottoms, and means caused to operate by the scale beam of one bin tooperate the releasing means of the other bin, said last named means alsooperating the deflecting valve.

22. In a hopper scales mechanism, a frame, a hopper mounted on theframe, chutes extending from each side of the hopper, a deflecting valvearranged in the hopper adapted to alternately close the chutes, weighingbins receiving the chutes, spouts fixed below the bins, scale armsmounted on the frame and movably supporting the bins, a scale beam foreach bin fulcrumed on the frame and having connection with the scalearms of its respective bin, a bin bottom in each bin adapted to supportthe load and to swing downward to discharge the load, means for swingingeach bottom upward to its normal position means for holding the bottomsin position, the bottom of one bin being closed when the other is open,means for holding the bottoms in their closed position, means :3 forholding the bottoms in their open position, means for operating theholding means alternately whereby the bottom of one bin is opened andthe other closed, opposed solenoids for operating the last named meansand the deflecting valve, and circuit closers 10 having connection withthe solenoids and operated by the scale beams.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of twoWitnesses.

HARRY DUN KERLY. Witnesses ROBERT L. COLE, M. B. SoHLnY.

